Burdwan probe: Mamata, NSA open lines of contact

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has given her personal mobile number to National Security Advisor Ajit Doval to talk to her directly in case central agencies face any hurdle in probe into the Burdwan blast, sources told HT.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has given her personal mobile number to National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval to talk to her directly in case central agencies face any hurdle in probe into the Burdwan blast, sources told HT.

“Offering full support to NIA, Mamata gave her personal phone number to Doval when a team led by him called on her on Monday in Kolkata,” said a senior government official.

A team led by Doval had on Monday visited Kolkata and Burdwan to review the situation and sensitise the Trinamool government about dangers posed by the Burdwan module of Jammat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB).

“The Central team made it clear that they have come to share their concerns with Banerjee over the JMB activities in the state and sought her administration’s support in this regard,” added the official. Doval pointed out the inability of local police to recover 39 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) for around two weeks after the blast. These IEDs were later recovered by the NIA after taking over the probe from the state police. The director general of West Bengal police agreed with the concern raised and promised to take action against erring officials, said sources.

“Mamata agreed that the local police could not give full attention to the probe as it was busy in making arrangements for Puja and Diwali celebrations. But she also pointed out that since Bangladesh was once part of the larger Bengal and it is very difficult differentiate local Bengalis from Bangladeshis,” said the official.

An official pointed out that one of the prime suspects in the case, Kausar Sheikh, after escaping from Burdwan after the blast, remained in Birbhum till October 5 but the police couldn’t nab him. He is believed to have left India.

Doval on Tuesday briefed home minister Rajnath Singh on his visit. India plans to share details of the JMB module with Bangladesh.